The ‘endgame’ must begin. Zelensky may be preparing for a flexible approach to ending the war – Bloomberg

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may be “preparing to adopt a more flexible approach” to end the war.

This information reported according to a report by Bloomberg, citing officials close to NATO.

The report states, “Ukrainian officials are ready to acknowledge that the endgame must begin.”

This topic was expected to be discussed at a meeting in the “Ramstein” format, but U.S. President Joe Biden canceled his visit to Germany at the last minute. Bloomberg notes that Zelensky’s “victory plan,” which was supposed to be discussed there, had previously received a “cool reception” in the U.S.

Western allies have also requested that Zelensky draft a “roadmap” detailing what Ukraine will need in 2025. Meanwhile, the pressure on Kyiv to present a “more concrete plan that takes into account how the war could end” has intensified.

“Stalemate on the battlefield, tight budgets in the West, and, most importantly, the results of the U.S. presidential elections in November have combined to prompt allies to more seriously consider the possibility of resolving the conflict through negotiations,” the article states.

One of the central issues in any future negotiations is Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, which has divided Ukraine’s allies. According to officials, Biden is under pressure to send a clear invitation to Kyiv to join the Alliance. Although it’s unlikely that the U.S. president will do so, such a proposal is being considered as a potential avenue for negotiations involving the Kremlin.

An alternative option is being considered in the form of “robust bilateral security guarantees, especially from the U.S., which would effectively amount to NATO membership.”

However, a source familiar with NATO discussions said that Russia views Ukraine’s NATO membership as an impossible option, so “it remains unclear what formula could bring all parties to the negotiating table.”

The same source noted that “anything short of full membership would leave Ukraine in a disadvantageous position when it comes to ceasefire negotiations.”

It’s worth noting that *Financial Times* recently reported that officials in Washington and Kyiv are adjusting their goals and leaning toward freezing combat along the front lines.